“Our country, north and south, truly needs the rekindling of wholesome relationships – socially and politically, nationally and internationally”

Together we wish you God’s richest blessings this Christmas and through the year ahead.

These few days at the turn of the year offer an opportunity for people who are normally very busy to give worthwhile time to family and friends.  It can also be a stressful and difficult time for people who feel estranged from friends and loved ones to whom they were once close, and for those who feel they have no-one they can truly call a friend.

Over Christmas and New Year many people are able to rekindle relationships that have somehow gone sour.  We are all capable of bringing light and love into another person’s life – perhaps someone for whom hope itself is fading, someone who desperately needs the rekindling of trust that only care and friendship can bring.  Jesus Christ came into the world to bring us not only the light of his love but also the warmth of his friendship.  Indeed, he assured his disciples that they were more than just “followers”; they were his “friends” (John 15.15).

Our country, north and south, truly needs the rekindling of wholesome relationships – socially and politically, nationally and internationally – and our prayer this Christmas is that men and women of integrity will find the generosity and courage they need to lead and take the initiative in making these crucial relationships work.

As our sharing in ministry here in Armagh will soon be coming to a close, we take this opportunity publicly to thank God for the warm friendship we have enjoyed together (and will continue to enjoy, albeit in a different mode), and we pray as one that 2020 may be a year of rekindling true friendship for all the people of Ireland.

+Eamon
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh

+Richard
Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh

ENDS

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678

The Cathedral Parish in Armagh has introduced a new form of donating to help support the ongoing needs and demands of the Parish.  A new free-standing donation portal has been installed in St. Patrick’s Cathedral and it offers the user the opportunity to make a contactless payment. 

It is a new and modern method of donating to the local Parish and having such a facility in place makes it easier for people to donate as they please.

The Parish has worked closely with Goodbox, a company that is committed to this new method of payment, and the new technological device which incorporates a secure and easy to use payment system, has been installed in the magnificent Cathedral.

The Cathedral Parish has considered for some time new ways of embracing digital payments technology.  Many people no longer carry cash today and for that reason the Parish has been looking at other ways in which people can give.  St. Patrick’s Cathedral has many visitors on a daily basis and many people want to contribute to help support the costs associated with the running and maintenance of such a building. 

It is hoped that by introducing this form of contactless giving that the Parish can maximise donations to help support St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The Diocesan Pastoral Centre Team in Dundalk hosted its annual charity coffee morning at the Magnet Centre Dundalk on Monday 16th December.  

Many Thanks to the many schools and the wider community that supported the event.

https://youtu.be/9YiuEaGFlNA

The death has taken place on Wednesday, 11 December, of Fr Brendan McHugh, late of Anniscliff House Nursing Home, Maghera.  May he rest in peace.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

Remains arriving at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Ardboe, this evening, Thursday, 12 December, in time for Mass at 8.00pm;

Requiem Mass on Saturday, 14 December at 12.00 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining Cemetery.

CURRICULUM VITAE
Very Rev Brendan McHugh PE

Born:  7 May 1927, Parish of Loughgall

Studied:  St Patrick’s College, Armagh        1940-46
           St Patrick’s College, Maynooth  1946-53

Ordained:  21 June 1953

Appointments
Assistant, Kildress  1953-54
Assistant, Dromintee  1954-54
Chaplain, Good Shepherd Convent  1954-57
Curate, Killeeshil  1957-64
Curate, Kildress  1964-68
Curate, Lower Killeavy  1968-82
Parish Priest, Aghaloo  1982-87
Parish Priest, Ardboe  1987-03
Pastor Emeritus, Assistant Pastor, Ardboe  2003-07
Pastor Emeritus  2007-19

Date of Death: 11 December 2019

Message from the Bishops in Northern Ireland to voters ahead
of the Westminster General Election

Short Summary of Statement

It is twenty years this month since the Stormont Assembly assumed the full powers devolved to it.  The damaging consequences of the prolonged, ongoing failure to restore the institutions of the Agreement are becoming increasingly clear, especially their impact on the most vulnerable in society.  As the people of Northern Ireland return to the polling booths for the Westminster elections we encourage everyone to vote and to take the opportunity ‘on the doorsteps’ to encourage all politicians to return to the Assembly as soon as possible. 

Brexit

The outcome of Brexit will have a significant impact on our fragile peace and on our political, economic and social life.  Competent voices are needed to annunciate our concerns and we encourage voters to choose candidates who value positive relationships within and beyond these islands. 

Abortion law

On 21 October the Westminster liberalised abortion laws here.  The right to life is not given to us by any law or government, and any law that removes this right is unjust and must be resisted by every voter and political representative.  For Catholic politicians this is not only a matter of protecting the human right to life but also a fundamental matter of our faith.  Voters have a duty to inform themselves on the position of election candidates in respect of their willingness to support and cherish equally the lives of mothers and their unborn children. 

Welfare Reform

It is a matter of grave concern that payments under the welfare reform mitigation package for are due to come to an end on 31 March 2020, representing a ‘cliff edge’ for many already vulnerable people.  In the absence of devolved government, we call on politicians elected to Westminster to seek to ensure that the mitigation package does not end suddenly.

Housing and homelessness

We are concerned at the level of housing insecurity and the number of people, in particular families, facing homelessness. Many others are ‘hidden’ homeless who rely on family and friends for temporary accommodation.  It is important that candidates for election are willing to take the necessary steps to address the current housing needs of our population.

Human trafficking

We have all been made aware recently of the atrocious scourge of human trafficking.  In this context, we are urging all newly elected members to serve the common good by allocating significant financial and human resources to tackle this critical issue and commit to continue to work with European and international partners to combat this global phenomenon.

Conclusion

These Westminster elections are very significant for the future of the social, economic and political relationships of these islands.  This brings an even greater responsibility on us, as followers of Jesus, to reflect in a conscientious and informed way on the breadth of issues involved.  We call for prayers for candidates and for a respectful public debate on the issues. 

Full Statement

It is twenty years this month since the Stormont Assembly assumed the full powers devolved to it as a result of the overwhelming support of citizens on this island for the Good Friday Agreement.  The damaging consequences of the prolonged, ongoing failure to restore the institutions of the Agreement are becoming increasingly clear, especially their impact on the most vulnerable in society.

As the people of Northern Ireland return to the polling booths for the Westminster elections we encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote and also to take the opportunity ‘on the doorsteps’ to encourage all political parties to return to the Stormont Assembly as soon as possible.

Brexit

The run up to this election has been dominated by the issue of Brexit.  No doubt the final outcome of Brexit will have a significant impact on the political, economic and social life of Northern Ireland, and its fragile peace.  Whatever the eventual decision of the Westminster Parliament on Brexit, negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the EU will be critical for our future.  The people of Northern Ireland need competent voices to put forward their concerns on these issues and we encourage them to choose leaders who will value positive relationships both within and beyond these islands. 

It is worrying that some see the uncertainty over Brexit as an opportunity to drag the community back to a violent past.  We call on all political leaders to promote dialogue as the only way to resolve differences and to create a safe future for our young people. 

Abortion law

On 21 October last the Westminster parliament liberalised abortion laws in Northern Ireland. This was a tragic day for the unborn children who will now never bless our world with their unique and precious lives. It was also a sad day for our local democracy as this draconian Westminster abortion legislation was introduced over the heads of local citizens. The right to life is not given to us by any law or government.  Any human law that removes the right to life is an unjust law and must be resisted by every person, every voter, every political representative. For Catholic politicians this is not only a matter of protecting the human right to life but also a fundamental matter of Catholic faith.

We have consistently said that the equal right to life, and love, of a mother and her unborn child is so fundamental to the common good of every society that citizens deserve the fullest participation in the democratic debate about the legislation which governs it.

Similarly, the freedom of conscience of healthcare professionals and pharmacists needs to be respected and they should never be required to lend their support to an action which conflicts with their commitment to uphold life.  

We ask all voters to respond to the current consultation on the draft Westminster abortion legislation and to leave their representatives in no doubt as to how they feel in these matters. We also call on people to continue to pray for a society which respects the equal right to life and care of a mother and her unborn child with a compassion that welcomes every child as a unique and wonderful gift and that supports women who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

Ahead of the general election on 12 December, voters have a duty to inform themselves about the position of candidates standing for election in respect of their willingness to support and cherish equally the lives of mothers and their unborn children.  Candidates for election should also make clear their position on defending the innate dignity of every human being, from conception to natural death so that citizens can make an informed decision.

Welfare Reform

It is a matter of grave concern that payments under the welfare reform mitigation package for Northern Ireland are due to come to an end on 31 March 2020. This represents a ‘cliff edge’ for many already hugely vulnerable people receiving supplementary payments under this scheme across the North, including an estimated 35,000 households. Many recipients of mitigation payments are unaware that their income will significantly reduce in March under current legislation which means that the effects of these changes will be exacerbated. The unique circumstances of Northern Ireland which justified the introduction of these mitigation arrangements have not changed in the last four years. In fact, arguments have been made that stronger mitigation schemes are needed in light of growing challenges, including the introduction of Universal Credit and cuts to housing benefits in the private rental sector.

While we recognise that a programme of mitigations is not a long-term solution, there is a need for welfare reform to be analysed and treated differently in Northern Ireland. It should be acknowledged that a separate system of management for welfare schemes specific to the North may be necessary. The Department for Communities cannot amend the legislation to extend the mitigation payments in the absence of an Assembly, highlighting again the significant negative impact on all citizens in Northern Ireland across a range of issues due to the political stalemate.  In the absence of devolved government, we call on politicians elected to Westminster to seek to ensure that the mitigation package does not end suddenly in March, and that appropriate legislation is enacted to prevent this.

Housing and homelessness

Pope Francis has said that ‘There is no social or moral justification – no justification whatsoever – for the lack of housing’.  We are concerned at the level of housing insecurity in Northern Ireland and the number of people, in particular families, facing homelessness. Many others are ‘hidden’ homeless as they seek to rely on family and friends for temporary accommodation, moving constantly with no stability. As bishops stated last year in their pastoral letter Room at the Inn?, the right to shelter, housing and a place to call ‘home’ is an essential human need and right. As the numbers facing housing precariousness and homelessness increase we need to look at how we have ordered society if we cannot meet these basic needs for our citizens. Housing provision cannot be left solely to the market to be treated as any other commodity. This ideological position has failed to provide for our society’s housing needs. Where housing is not available for everyone then the State must step in to provide affordable social housing, introduce controls in the private rental market and exercise its responsibility to ensure the basic needs of its citizens are provided for. In considering candidates for election, it is important that these representatives are willing to take the necessary steps to address the current housing needs of our population.

Human trafficking

We have all been made aware recently of the atrocious scourge of human trafficking and of those who seek to exploit people forced to migrate to escape violence or natural disaster, or who hope to find a better life abroad.

Pope Francis has called human trafficking ‘an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ.’ He has said that ‘we are facing a global phenomenon that exceeds the competence of any one community or country’ and, so we ‘need a mobilisation comparable in size to that of the phenomenon itself’. Migrants are amongst the most vulnerable of our sisters and brothers. We can all empathise with their sense of desperation to reach a foreign shore with hope of finding safety and decent employment.  In this context, following their election on 12 December, and irrespective of various ideological perspectives, we are urging all new members of the Westminster Parliament to serve the common good by allocating significant financial and human resources to tackling this critical issue and to commit to continue to work with European and international partners to combat this global phenomenon.

Conclusion

There can be no doubt that the forthcoming Westminster elections will be among the most significant in recent history for the future of the social, economic and political relationships within and between these islands. This brings an even greater responsibility on the followers of Jesus Christ to reflect conscientiously and in an informed way on the wide range of issues involved.  We call for prayers for those who are standing for election to public office and for a respectful public debate about the important issues at stake. 

Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dromore; Bishop Noel Treanor of Down & Connor; Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry; Bishop Larry Duffy of Clogher; and Bishop Michael Router, Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh

**POSTPONED**

“ Wonder and Awe, the Master’s call to become as little children”

1. Franciscan Missionary Community Mount Oliver
   Saturday March 21st 2020
   Mount Oliver, Ballymascanlon , Co Louth.

or

2. Kilmore Parish Pastoral Centre Saturday March 28th 2020 Battlehill Road, Stonebridge, Richhill, Co Armagh, BT61 8QJ The Prayer & Spirituality Commission will lead a day of prayer for all.

Come and try different styles of prayer. Starts at 10.30 am with a Morning Prayer. Option to attend Mass with Community at Mount Oliver 10.00 am Bring a packed lunch – Tea and Coffee will be available.

Archbishop Eamon leads a Prayer Walk with the children of Armagh Cathedral Parish as part of the Week of Witness celebrations. The children who took part in the Walk of Witness will be confirmed in 2020.